OBSERVATION/ RESPONSE #1 “GETTING STARTED: THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS” ©Methods, Nipissing University

*EXPECTATIONS: The pre-service teacher will: 1.demonstrate how observations and connections will shape his/her future teaching practices. 2.communicate observations in an organized and professional written format.

Your responses to these questions are observations only.

Question #1 Provide a general description of the first day. (Use a schedule format and include time blocks.)

TIMEMONDAY 8:50Bell Work: 9:00Opening Exercises: 9:15Language Arts Block: 10:15Daily Fitness: 10:30RECESS: 10:50Math: 11:50LUNCH: 1:00Silent Reading: 1:20French: 1:50Science: 2:15RECESS: 2:30Phy. Ed.: 3:00Independent Learning Time: 3:30DISMISSAL:

Question #2 Describe the physical setting of the classroom. (Consider drawing a floor plan, a map, a sketch, or including photographs of the classroom.)

Question #3 How did you observe rapport being developed with the students during the first week?

Question #4 List rules and routines and how they are established during the first week.

Question #5 How does one develop a sense of who the students are and what they can do during the first week?

Question #6 Over the first week, how was “the curriculum” for the year being introduced?

Question #7 List things that you want to be prepared for during October and November. Briefly explain your rationale for each item.

Question #8 List other observations that you deem to be important. What questions do you have as a result of this experience?

What do I do with my notes? 1.Bring your notes on this experience to the first methods class during the week of September 13, These notes will become part of your PLANNING PORTFOLIO assignment and, therefore, should be professionally presented. A copy of these notes will also go in your PRACTICE TEACHING BINDER.

3. Include input from our in-class group discussion with the answers to these questions, under a separate heading. (i.e. Group Responses)

4.As a follow-up to class discussion, write a brief one-page reflective summary outlining your personal reflections on this experience and how this information might be used in the future. Note: Further details of the Reflection component of this assignment will be provided in your Methods class the first week back.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING Do not identify your school, your associate teacher, or the names of your students in your notes. If you are taking pictures of your class, make sure that you have checked with your Associate Teacher to ensure that you have permission to do so. These are observations only, please be professional at all times in your written details.

VALUE: 10% OF YOUR METHODS MARK DUE DATE: (Reflective summary & Observation notes): Last class the week of September 13-17, 2004

RUBRIC FOR OBSERVATION #1 ASSIGNMENT CATEGORYLEVEL 1LEVEL 2LEVEL 3LEVEL 4Marks A)NOTES(.50)(1.5)(2.0)(3.0) 1)Personal ResponsesMinimal responses to questions Few responses to questions Full responses to all questions Detailed and in-depth responses to all questions (.25)(.50)(.75)(1.0) 2)Group ResponsesMinimal responses to questions Few responses to questions Full responses to all questions Detailed and in-depth responses to all questions B) NOTES & SUMMARY (.25)(.50)(.75)(1.0) 3)OrganizationLittle evidence of organization Some evidence of organization Competently organizedConcisely and consistently organized 4)Presentation (i.e., readability, cohesiveness, grammar, spelling) Numerous errors that affect readability and presentation Some errors that affect readability and presentation Competently presented A few minor errors Professionally presented No errors C)REFLECTIVE SUMMARY (.50)(1.5)(2.5)( ) 5)Communication of reflections States observationsIdentifies connections between teacher’s action and students’ actions Describes how observations and connections influence the thinking and beliefs of the student teacher Explains how observations and connections will shape future teaching practices of the student teacher TOTAL /10

This Point Presentation will be on my website under Assignments heliv/methods